SHORT
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
STORY.
BLUE RIBBONS
...BY
MARAVENE KENNEDY THOMPSON
[lo "Blue Ribbons,
"#
which comes from AleClure's, is in
ден о в рацну.
"I don't understand, Pretty. You''n' Ed spattiu,' an' you want t git even?
"You could take the blue if you'd get yourself to it, couldn't you? Just answer that, daddy dear,"
Old John hunched up his knees a little nearor to his drooping clip.
"You could, couldn't you? "Esken blus so long now, Pretty. The Trowbridges don't take boatin' very gracious. I remember, oncot, when hie father-
ought-"
Of course.
And she'd be just the happiest and proudest woman in the world if you carried off the blur."
Ma! Old John was silent. There had been long, lean years in which he had tussled futilely to wring a living from his sparse, worn-out sores, Ma had fought the battle of poverty with him,
by her courage when his grit was fall but gone. Ma!
Old John had thought of that, too; in fact, bis mind had circled round and round the blue ribbon subject in irresistible fascination. But he hadn't before thought of bis winning of the blue as source of pride and happiness to Ms.
Well, Prett—". She sprang
i.
a
up, laughing blithely, calling back as she ran: You 'n' I'll show 'em that the Pattons can carry off blue ribbons, no matter against what odds."
Old John rose, elated, but little puzzled. What did Pretty mean by the "I"?
EXTRA
HONGKONG, SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1914.
game's even. They just keep on going till they win-somehow."
The man thought of his father- in-law's almost dramatio rise after
41
44
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She laughed, a faint catch in her sweet, trilling voice.
Over the dinner table, Mrs, no more admired than Old stall and given orders he can't Trowbridge announced to her Rube, pursy, squat, grizzled, be let out to-day." husband in a casual tone:
grafting right and left; perhaps
"E!!
pre-
mo
od old exponent of the latest word quickly pulsing to the delicious halo of her beauty and witchery stock-still. Mrs. El was at the in soientific farming, Only- tumult about her. The fair and the subjugation of Big Ed's unter edge of the ring, riding the Second best! With all his What mattered it that the due: heart. All eyes followed these Brute bareback-aud asgaily care- sores and "hands" and resources was two inches thick, and the two. Eve Dawson, in a blue rid-less as a small boy atop a hobby he had been deemed "down and and his own careful supervision, temperature 86 in the shade, and ing habit emartly, trimmed with horse! The orow out." He smiled into his wife's he had fallen abort. His products the big grounds swarming with brass buttons, plump, blondely deadly silent
continued challenging eyes.
13 was sensation-" "Guess you're right," said he, they should have been! His To-morrow the quiet of home blue ribbon.-eat her little black comprehended for a moment.
were good, but not as good as jostling, perspiring humanity ? pretty, sure of herself and the al, dramatic, too startling to bo leaving the table. But there's goods had been outclassed be- and the fragrance of freshly cut mare with easy "assurance. She Then the saucy devilry of the one odd you won't win out rause some one else had done fields and flowering shrubs might was not nervous, did not saw at thing clutched them. Hats were against, and that's your old Ed. what he should have done!-and be equally grateful; but to-day, the bit, nor rear herealf back, nor flung in the air, handkerchiefs He isn't going t let hie pretty without this lesson to teach him. here and now! The hybrid slamp forward in a heap, nor do waved madly the shrieking was Peggy love get a black eye. The His soreness was no lese, bat odour and surging bedlam was one any of the unskilful and unbe- like a roll of thunder, Trowbridges don't cotton t' red more, because it was directed sheer, mad joy; and to Peggy, coming things that marked the
Ah-h! ribbons and you're & Trow against himself. The longer he ababble with a tumult all her riders of the sorrel and the grey.
The Brute apreared, snorted bridge now, little girl."
malled over the matter, the own, it was transport..
But neither did Mrs, Ed This plunged. Men all but leaped the Next day Old John looked at greater seemed his own stupidity. She saw countless friends from came as a surprise to Eve's fence, and pacing as gently sa troduced a new writer who
his daughter somewhat dolorously. He was raw with mortification.
"I'll have t take back my
her girlhood's home-in no-adherents, who had confidently a pet pony, the Brote continued pictures with raro freshness
"Guess we don't want any other township from and originality an interest.
promise, Pretty. I didn't know more red souvenirs to add to the married one, not seen at other to acg it whatever virtue Mra shouting, only delighted, charm." her oxpected some amateurish trick on his way. There was no further' you was goin't ride when i gave collection, d' we; Peggy?" he times or other places. By noon Ed's riding possessed. ing phase of American life,
od, fascinated watching of the it. I like Ed too well t' land a said to his wife, that evening. she had gathered a whole colony Around and around the half-finest horsemanship that the old "Old John Patton looked,
double blow as his pride. I wish
"Guess we don't," said she, unto herself, or so it seemed, as mile ring they all cantered, each ring had ever seen. aalent through his double-loused
you wouldn't du this, Preity: Ed with saucy gentleness. Then she table-cloth was added to table going much where her fancy die- One pair of eyes did not see spectacles at his daughter Peggy
would rather lose, himself, than raised her arma to his neck wite cloth under the trees in the dated, at the outer edge, or inner, wonderful riding-only a Mrs. Edwin Trowbridge for
have you lose."
a little mothering cry. "You big "Grove," and basket after basket or across the ring, or aslant it, clous form that might be man-. the past two years. He felt bravely, cheerily, inspiriting him Then, by the same reasoning, darling, silly boy! Don't you gave up its contents of cold only that all headed always the gled, curiously ignorant of the working
he'd rather have me sin thun know I shouldn't rule if I didn't chicken and sandwiches, pies, one way. A little while then, "I can't stand this!". hbe. himself," ebe dried. "Don't you feel mighty sure I'd win?" of bis off-pring a mind-a Tool
cakes, and crallera, jellies and men versed in "points" began to breathed hoarsely. "I'm going ing not confised to this particular "Ed isa't small," argued Ed's see, that is why I'm riding. "He'll
"Dave Sholland Lew Hunt jams and marmalades, and pickles lean forward and draw quick t get inside the fence now, and father. Tiny sat under a tree in wife. He'll be sore 'bout being have t' stand an awful lot of and Doc
Edmands are t be always pickles.
breaths. Eve was sitting her when she comes opposite the bay-feld, Old John loosely beaten, but sore against himself, chafing over losing you, and judges-I got that straight to-day-
Great is fun at someone horse prettily, correctly; but Mra. again I'll get her off the Brute fat, big-frained, hanging-jowled; not you.. The thing that would be'll be dreadfully humiliated Tools of Old Rabe's, every one of else's expense. This time it was Ed was riding hers! And, gad, someho Mrs. Trowbridge slender and make him hopping mad with you But when I win-abe perked them."
Big Ed's too seldom an oppor. what riding! How she yielded
Stiddy, Ed." cams softly. beautiful-vividly, arrentingly w'd be to find out you had held her head to one side, like a sancy
Sho looked кр roguishly.tunity for mirth-loving souls to to every move of the Brute-and Don't y' see that her 'a' the beautiful. Bu: the sume merrily back your stuff so's he could bird." think Ed's 'most ab
proud of me pretty Peggy love' good rider I am."
"Guess you don't know what a resist. A red toy balloon was at just the precise moment! And Brute er just havin'a little game? quizzical expression shone from win."
tied to each diner, the whole the poise of her head, and the set The horse's got t' be born yit both pairs of eyes, his 'a faded
as of the farm! And-I'm
And I guess you know that bobbing, a red globular circle of her shoulders, and her back! that'd throw Pretty. She brown, hers of the velvety brown-
going to win, daddy."
riding has nothing to do with it above the three dozen heads. It was it possible that a back, hypnotizes them, somehow-with "So--a! So-80!" abortled-guess, too, you ain't going was some minutes before its supple when it should be supple that little soft giggle of her'n, I Old Jobo, his face clearing.
tride when you know I don't significance dawned upon Peggy; and only then, sirnight where up- guess. Did y' hear her laugh in Excitement prevailed through; want you to pretty Peggy love," then swiftly her feet twinkled to rightness was needed, yet naver his ear as they went by-soft out the whole county, and beyond he whispered.
her husband's side, and she edged | rigid, could make all the differ- like velvet? And he couldn't it, when it became known that
in beside him, somehow feeling unce that it somehow to making throw the little cuss if he wanted Mrs. Ed Trowbridge was.to ride against Eve Dawson, "Big Ed"
that it couldn't be so hard to bear between ber riding and Eve's to. She's right to home on a "Guess-I-am!"
if she were there. He was and no matter what gait, pacing borse's bare back, I used t'raise Trowbridge and "Old Rube"
Friday morning she tripped to laughing loudly too loudly to or trotting, M, Ed was equally colte for market, an' she broke Dawson were the county's finan- the automobile, a box bagged deceive Peggy.
one with her mount-Mrs. Ed em—and would unless I'd killed cial heavy-weighte quoted, tightly in her arms. Her busband copied, lauded, and given that stood beside the throbbing ma-ahe whispered, For Peggy knew amazed admirers. Mrs. Ed atrot ried you, it's been automobiles; "You'll show 'em next year," only-was borne in upon Eve's bert' stop it. Sence she's mar- peculiar reverential admiration chine, his face resolutely set. her husband and that his lesson was a joyous vision, while Eve-guess y' ain't seen her on a always bestowed on the highly
"You might as well leave that was learned.
Speedily the great mass, know-borso mora'n twice 'fore to- successful. Big Ed, young, hand- habit at home," he voiced grim-
"Guess y' see now why I ain't ing no contestant personally and day, an' then it was a family Home, genial, honest as a die," ly.
Was I've locked Umpire in his letting my pretty Toy love is playing no favourite, had eyee plug that too triflin' for this kind of thing. he wbis-only for the elander, deliciously for Pretty t' compliment with pared in return.
curving, pliable figure on the good ridin'. She wouldn't ride Peggy's face paled, and her Brute, riding as bonchalantly as Umpire nohow today, Ed i eyes, suddenly fearful, turned as though alone. in a country was the Brute for her, or a worse away from his. What if- "You ro," she returned, with
lane, her heavily curtained eyes devil if she o'd skeer one up." Three hours later, Trowbridge, looking out dreamily, a faint little
The whistle sounded again. quiet or husis "To lay down and let walk off with the blue
Though opinions might differ
examining a sew-style reaper, smile on the childishly parted red Orediently Mre. Ed turned her "I don't rise t' that
heard his father-in-law's voice lips.
horse and loped toward not the when he don't deserve it is silly.
se to their merits and possessione, Peggy. Step in !"
**Boat time for the ladies' "The cheering and rooting be- judges stand, but the outer gate, And it it honest, either. You
it was agreed that" Big Ei ought She gave him a took-queer, ridia' match, Ed.. Better began softly, then louder and louder raising her hand peremptorily know that the wheat and corn and
know better 'n to let his wile balling.
makin' for the small ring if y' yet: "The bay! The bay for the gate-keeper to open it. potatoes and anything that takes
ride against Eve." But it was "Ed-you'll be awfully worry want t' see it."
Put 'ton the bay! The buy-the
And the crowd saw the juke,- the blue at the fair is taken as. "You just aren't," laughed be. equally agreed that Peggy Pat you did this!"
Something in the tone arrested buy !
the delicious effrontery of outrid- the stan jard by the whole county."Don't you get that bee in your ton" was a caution for having: "Perhaps I will; but you don't his attention. Quickly, forebod- From five thousand throats it ing her rival and leaving the For you let the standard. be bonnet. As long's Eve's uncle her own way," "spoilt t' the hilt carry home any red ribbon.ingly, he pushed his way through rose in a mighty roar. They blue ribbon to fall as a matter lowor 'a it rightfully should be is Rube and Sam Hardman, bis by Old Johu," and that Big Ed Come."
the crowd to the fence that had been thrilled at first by of course, to its foreordained ve. stealing, straight stealing, same's tool, are directors of the fair, nor the Old Niok himself couldn't She stepped in, the box still in fenclosed the ring.
possible danger but had quickly cipient, and laughed tillit cried. With a quiok hand Peggy was riding almost passed as they saw that the little
But the gate did not open. an angel from heaven.
And my
once she set her boad t' it." It pretty Peggy love isn't going gave new zest to the fuir. Ated it to the porch.
tenderness and beautiful youth, mistress. The hoarse shouts were med against it, for one thing; and compete for second premium-every cross-roade shop and barn- "There's just one more thing na-not Umpire, safe and reliable tributes to pure horsemanship. and, for another, the gate-keeper not if I know it.”
yard, and at the meeting of far look up or pitch out, and that's Umpire, but the Brate, the worst- Mrs. Ed Trowbridge could ride had been signalled from the ind- I'm going to ride, and I'mmer with farmer driving to and me, she said and laughed. tempered saddle-horse in the Eve Dawson was outclassed three ges' stand not to. The whistle going to take blue ribbon. I'm a from town, the matter was dig-"I'm not mad, Ed," she added, county, a slender-legged, hand-to one. Old Rube would never sounded again. "I know," said Old. John. better rider 'n Eve."
cussed, pro and con. Would still laughing. "I know you had some, ungovernable bay that dare pass over such superiority. still eat her horse, nonchalantly I've thought of that. Only-"Trowbridge ran over in his Old Rubs dare, to "pack a planned something to keep me passed quickly from owner 10 The whistle blow, and the four waiting for the gate to open. "Daddy dear," she bent to mind the respective merits of his committee against Big Ed's from riding.
ownor, leaving their broken bones contest uts cantered toward the And the awarding judge, with ward him in pretty, coaxing wife's and Eve Dawson's riding. wife? Could Mrs. Ed ride He felt combative, and was not behind him as souvenirs. judges' arand, the band playing what dignity he could muster, urguney you must. Of course "Guses you could make good as well as Eve in a ring? They grateful as might be for her The Brate! Mrs. Trowbridge softly Just One Girl.
waddled from the judges' stand Ed'll be nettled. Farming is on that, and you've got more had seen lots of supposedly good sweet complacency. Nor did was riding the Brute! went "The bay-the bay! The hay to Mrs. Ed, and tied the blas style; but you wouldn't stand riders flatten out to poor sticks the chaffing and joshing that swiftly over the crowd. And the the hey!" abrieked, frenziedly ribbon around her arm. And any show' gainst Eve, as things enough when on parade. And good-naturedly greated him from arowd leaned forward, bated- the swaying, excited, insistent pandemonium let loose. are now. With two potatoes ly-Eve could ride!
all sides add to his enjoyment. breathed, thrilling exquisitely throng.
She rode around the ring again, t' make overy foot of it yield to ing side by side, y' can't fool the When the fair opened, the ex-The fair-heretofore potent to over possible danger. Men in the The awarding judge waved the slowly now, on parade, the blaa its last as you do--and a lot people as to which is the bigger citing topio of conversation was charin had lost its savour. To vicinity of Trowbridge looked at riders of the grey and the sorrel ribbon floating out gaily, a little or smoother or whiter; but good the ladies' riding match. Then winto be first to have the ad- him strangely. Had Big Ed lost to one side, and those of the elfish laugh in her dusky eyes. "That's partly it, Pretty. I've horsemanship is made up of unbelievable astounding miring eyes of the crowd upon his senses, that he allowed his black and the bay back to the And the crowd laughed with her, felt, somehow, it wa'n't fair fer things not so discernible to the cataclysmic as a Democratic land- him! He had not realizod before wife on the Brate?
field, ostensibly to view again the and for many a day thereafter. met show'gainst straight farmin' untrained eye. Last year lots of slide! Old John Patton-Old what buoyancy this could give to Trowbridge stood palsied, his equestrian merits of the leader That day and Mrs. Ed had made products. I've nursed my little people thought that Kate Emory John Patton--carried off first a man's spirits. The memory of wife's" You'll be awfully, sorry before a decision could be reach-history. farm, an' fed it an given it my rode better 'n Eve; but, in fact, premium on all the staple pro- those red labele burnt him like a you did this" pounding on his ed. Those wise in the ways of
As she rode out through the own attention till it's a sort of she didn't. Belle Wiggin and ducte he displayed. The biggest flame. The choicest gift from brain. Ribbons were forgotten, Old Rabe knew that this was gate, cleared now for her triump super-farm. I've had t' do inten- Clara Howe are the only ones in and evenest and fullest-grained heaven seemed just then to be washed from bis mind as though merely a blind to give regularity bal exit, her eyes leaped quickly sive farmin' 'stead o' extensive. the ten years who should have ears of corn, the biggest, and that little blue symbol of success they had never been. Only one to their award of the blue to Eve.from-face to face, looking-look- Ed's pretty much up t' snuff on won out against her. And old smoothest and finest grained now denied him! He carried thing stood out clear: his wife, A boot of derision, a howl of dis- ingah | straight fermio, an' I cal'ciate he Rube made mighty sure, those potatoes, the heaviest wheat, were himself easily, laughed cordially his pretty Peggy lore," the apgust followed. Then
She slid from her horse into years, that the committee was his! Men surrounded the Patton at jokes against himself, was cut-ple of hie eye, was in danger, and "Change borses change the eager arms. safely packed for Eve. And displays in fascinated wonder, wardly the interested, genial Big he must save her. He gathered horses!" rose madly. Let Eva Pretty Peggy love! "
would be the same if you rode, eyes and mouths agape, measur-Ed his neighbours know and himself ready for a vault over the Dawson try the Brate; let har
She laughed happily, con When they know Eve's going op ieg. weighing, hefting, har likod. Only his wife saw the fence when she should approach show what she could do on the tentedly. This was what she had friendly don't think I'll endan against a real horsewoman they angping.
hurt baneath, the sickening hurt agaio.
champion bad horse of the been waiting to hear-just those ger family peace for even blue don't take chances."
For the first time in seven of the boy-the "boy that Old John laid a detaining hand county. This was regular, if it three little words, said in just ribbone. Can't use yer old daddy "I know all that, Ed," laugh. years, red carde-symbol of so- always lives on in the man, on his,
was regularity they were looking that proadly adoring tone of t'git a rise out'n yer husband, ed Mrs. Ed gaily.. Bai, packed cond best-tagged the Trowbeautifully and gloriously, Her "Siddy. Ed,atiddy. Protty'd for. Pretty; he's too good t' my baby.", or not packed, the committee this bridge displaye! Second beat! eyes followed the handsome giant never let y git bolt the bridle. But the judge, knowing that, "Iknow that, daddy," dimpled your is going to vote blue ribbon Edwin Trowbridge's wife had with yourning, maternal passion. By golly!--look 't her. Ed! though the crowd bowled itself Peggy
"And you know I'm to Peggy Patton."
had said rightly: he was not followed wistfully till they lost The little trick sure kin ride!" hoarse, he was arbiter, calmly soft aulge water 'bout Ed; I just "Patton?"
"amall." There was no ill feel-him in the crowd.
There were four contestants; waved the two to the field again.
35
You could, couldn't you? "Little pepper! Course 1 could -but I wa't goin' to."
Ed, I'm going t enter the ladies' riding match at the county fair this year.'
"What's the joke?
"But I am, Ed. Eve Dawson's taken blue ribbon for ten years, and that's long enough.'
Her seriousness was not to be mistaken.
shade less so for Dawson swaggered pompously, like an overlord, and shouted commands and boasted profanely.
you
"I told you I wouldn't let rifle."
"You think I can't ride 48 well's Eve Dawson!"
her arms,
bait,
taking money out of men's pock- Eve'll carry blue ribbon against keep her from daing & be caught it from her and patch-opposite him-Peggy, all joy and horse had somehow found his/There were too many people jam
ets. For that's what it amounts
to, daddy. If other farmers only
get about three fourths as much
out of their crops by following Ed as they would by following you, why-
his religion, almost. And he
is wonderful. at it. But he's
got so much land, he don't need
gasp,
of others."
gits heavier returns than any
other big farmer in the State
He scratched his chin, meditat-
ing. Ed an meer pretty
F2
J
"
voice.
But Mrs. Ed
Shooting Trout with Catapult
The Yorkshire Fisheries Board last month obtained the conviction
can't bear t' see him feeling bad She dimpled. "My blood is ing against Old John. He was "Come on, Peg." laughed a bat, from their entrance, only two The bowl that went up reached over anything.'
She sidled. still Patton blood, if my name has rather proud than otherwise of voice from the group of waiting held the public eye: Eve Daw to the sky. Then silence. at Driffield of a farm labourer for nearor to slip a soft hand in his. been changed to Trowbridge, his wife's father, not displeased women."You can look at Edson, with the prestige of ten blue The judge stopped, turned attemping to kill tront during the But I'm silly about Ma, too." and the Pattons fight better by the excited admiration that any time, and the fair-" ribbons and nisceship to Old slowly about to read the meaning close season by shooting them
Dosa Ma think I against odds than when the followed the paunchy, loose-joint- The fair Peggy turned, Rube; and Mre. Ed, with the of this hushed expectancy, stood with a catapult.
"Ma!